BUS operators in Cebu will no longer ask for a fare increase from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 as fuel prices have dropped in the past few weeks.
Julito Flores, president of Cebu Provincial Bus and Mini Bus Operators Transport Cooperative (CPBMTC), said it is only fair to the commuters that they withdraw their petition.
But Basak Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association auditor Romeo Armamento disagreed, saying the prices of rice and other basic commodities have not gone down.
“Ang kana bayang pagsaka sa presyo sa palaliton resulta baya na sa pagsaka sa presyo sa fuel niadtong nangaging buwan. Gi-capitalize man gud sa mga negosyante. Ultimo gani kamunggay pwerte nang mahala (The prices of basic goods rose when fuel prices increased the other month. Business owners took advantage. Even the price of moringa skyrocketed),” said Armamento, who is also the National Confederation of Transportworkers Unity national vice president.
The Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA) and the Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association (CSMBOA) earlier asked the LTFRB 7 to raise the fare from P6 to P10 for the first five kilometers.
They also wanted to raise the additional P1.20 for each succeeding kilometer to P1.50.
Flores, who is also the president of CSMBOA and spokesperson of CPBOA, said the price of diesel fuel now ranges from P38 to P42 per liter.
LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the CPBOA and the CSMBOA should submit a formal letter, signifying their intention to withdraw their petition.
Also on Monday, Dec. 3, members of the technical working group that was created by LTFRB 7 will meet for the first time. They are tasked to come up with the formula on how to predetermine bus and jeepney fares in case the prices of petroleum products increase.
Meanwhile, prices of fuel are expected to drop for the eighth consecutive week due to the downward trend in prices abroad.
Phoenix Petroleum Philippines already rolled back the prices of gasoline and kerosene by P2 on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Seaoil is expected to lower the prices of gasoline and kerosene by P2 per liter and of diesel by P2.10 per liter on Monday, Dec. 3.
PTT Philippines, Pilipinas Shell and CPI (Caltex) will follow suit on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
PTT Philippines and Pilipinas Shell will lower the price of gasoline by P2 per liter and of diesel by P2.10 per liter. Pilipinas Shell will also lower the price of kerosene by P2 per liter. CPI (Caltex) will roll back the prices of gasoline and kerosene by P2.
The prices of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) were also rolled back on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Petron lowered the prices of Gasul and Fiesta Gas by P6.40 per kilogram, while Solane lowered the price of its LPG by P6.30 per kilogram.
According to the Department of Energy, the lowering of oil prices is due to the oversupply of petroleum products in the world market. (FROM SCG OF SUPERBALITA CEBU/KAL & JGS)